Jeremy Stein - Journal
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Morals or Values
Somehow, over the last few years, the word “values” has become preferred over the word “morals”. We hear about the “values voters” who helped reelect George W. Bush. I recently heard a radio preacher talk about a lack of “morals and values” in our youth.
We are not lacking in values. We are lacking in morals. Morals refer to standards of right and wrong. Values refer to what is considered worthwhile or important. Morals are externally determined (by God). Values are internally determined (by ourselves).
By changing the language to substitute “values” for “morals”, it becomes impossible to argue for a particular set of standards. It’s perfectly acceptable for me to embrace family values while you value freedom or diversity. Do you think that preacher would have been satisfied if he learned that young people responded to his call for values by buying only organic foods? If we mean morals, let’s say morals!
2 Comments
- Joan hershberger replied:
The external/internal definition reflects why the emphasis is on values … internal, I do it versus morals … God externalized … something larger than ourselves determines if what we are doing is right or wrong. Slowly inch the reality of God out and perhaps He will not actually exist. If I am the one that determines what is important (values) then I am not responsible to anyone else. If God determines, then I have to consider His morals first. So … one way we have switched from morals to values is by slowly easing them out of our public conscience. Few take a strong stand against the failure to live by the 10 commandments in Exodus or the way Jesus defined them in the NT. The less morals are taught, the more TV morals are caught and the more we need values to define ourselves.
With only values we can change our perspective as if it were a new outfit … determined by our circumstances and life experiences.February 24th, 2005 at 4:01 pm. Permalink.
- Tish Lowman replied:
we need vaules and morals in society to set standard for us to live by. We were not designed to live as beast and evil people. People without diction or knowlege. This is why the bible was created to show a humans what paths to take in life. My God Jehovah wants people to live right and do Good and so does his son Jesus.
June 7th, 2006 at 1:19 am. Permalink.
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